silhouette photo of woman against during golden hour

Healing when I’m depressed, praising and adoring God

Lord, how can we possibly praise You when we’re miserable with depression? So lonely, gloomy, suffocating, foggy, a shell of a person. You know what this feels like…thank You for giving us tangible gifts to see and words to sing-pray, as Your healing balm. For this, we interrupt this depression Read more…

photo of person lying down on beach

Singing Christ’s hope and love into depression

It drove me deeper and deeper into hopeless agony. Although no one knew it, I was suffering from depression, comorbid with years of undiagnosed chronic illness. My body was falling apart, with organ systems dysfunctioning and continual, severe pain. My ability to cope as a young wife and mother became Read more…

gold wedding bands on sand

To the one who conquers in suffering

Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around. (2 Kings 6:7 ESV) In studying Revelation lately, this Read more…

close up photography of cappucino

Abundant life in Christ now, as we suffer

As a young believer, I thought an abundant life included God’s favor in healing my sick body. Sharing a dramatic “praise report” with others was a joy, seeking to glorify Him and encourage them. I remember introducing myself to our church women’s small group after we moved to another state, Read more…

pink green and purple flowers during daytime

Jesus loves me, this I know

I’ve been thinking a lot about Jesus and what aspect of His character has specifically attracted so many to follow Him and maintain trust in Him, no matter what suffering entered their earthly lives. What drove Jesus all the way to the cross, enduring all manner of suffering in His Read more…

silhouette of cross on mountain under cloudy sky during sunset

Standing firm in the reign of Jesus

The news commentator said it aloud, “This is scaring me.” You too? As lawlessness escalates around us and tribulations squeeze us personally, our loving God gives us His Word to help us endure, to “courage-into” us with hope as His believing children.  The whole of God’s Word sheds His light Read more…

'Simply to thy cross I

Healing beneath the cross of Jesus 

Jesus Christ, In this holiest of weeks, focusing on what You’ve done for me, I seek healing beneath the cross of Jesus.  I cannot relax or be calm; I have no rest, for turmoil has come (Job 3:26 CSB). The words of Job echo mine as I suffer. But they Read more…

woman looking at sunset

Jesus, “I Need Thee Every Hour” of chronic illness

Physical suffering brings tears and fears. Up at night, we join Job in turning to God: “My heart is heavy on account of my groaning” (Job 23:2) “and now my soul is poured out within me; days of affliction have taken hold of me. The night racks my bones, and Read more…

beads cross prayer rosary

Good news in the midst of my suffering

We ache for good news in medical challenges. We pray for good outcomes to the hardships our kids and grandkids are experiencing. We grieve when good things disappear. We live in a fallen and fearful world in which sin and resulting suffering affect everything.  We need good news, don’t we? Read more…

close up photo of tied blue box

How can God be good if this is happening to me?

Perhaps this is one of the deepest universal questions, driving us into cognitive dissonance when suffering lingers. When layers of grief and loss take us under, we can barely breathe. We feel like Job. But when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, darkness came (Job Read more…

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